Anybody have one? I know some people hate HF stuff but the way I see it you take them with a grain of salt. Some of their stuff is good for what it is (cheap tools/equipment), and some of it is complete junk. Their log splitters for example are basically good units as long as you upgrade the components on some of the places they skimp (hydraulic lines, etc...), so I'm wondering if the same goes for the trailers? I was looking at this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb...res-94564.html

Basically I need a trailer that will haul about half a cord of green wood, which, depending on the species can weigh anywhere from 1000-1500 lbs. I figure the things to watch out for would be low quality bearings (they could be easily replaced for a few bucks), shoddy wiring (a once over with hot glue and heat shrink would fix that), and a poor paint job (I would just go over the whole thing in black POR-15), but other than that it looks like a good little base to start with. Tractor Supply has their trailer brand "Carry On" which is basically the same size with a slightly lower weight rating for the same ($400) price. I ought to look both of them over before I buy. Harbor Freight sends me coupons all the time too which might knock the price down even more.

Over time I'll probably end up adding full stake sides, a tongue box for my saws, etc...so I might end up looking for junkyard springs for it one day, but I'll have to watch the total weight since I'll be towing with my 22RE. I'll be towing 50 miles maximum with no real significant grades to worry about. I also plan on upgrading my brakes with either T-100 or V6 calipers/rotors in the front, and putting a sway control device on it.

 

I imagine those trailers are fairly decent - they sell the same ones at Sears (Haul Master).

Fink

 

I have had one for over five years now and has never given me any issues at all. I have loaded it up pretty good and it tracked perfectly. I would buy another if I needed too.

 

I used to have the haul master item#92174 to haul my quad and never had any issues.

 

 

I wanna say 92 Toy on here also has one. I'll page em and see if I am right.

 

I've had a similar (not that one) from HF for about 7 years. used it mostly when we were moving and also for dragging the lawn tractor around. 7 years later, it's still here. i've revived it a few times (fresh wood, fresh paint) and haven't used it really at all in a few years.

a word of caution.

it comes as a build kit. not bad to do. in Pennsylvania, was a total pain in the butt to get registered with the DMV. had to find a place that would "sign off" on the construction so that I could get it registered.....basically, verify it was built and functional and have them sign off on it. this meant, I had to take it to a local RV dealer and pay them like $15 to sign a form , take pictures and submit all that to the DMV to get a license plate.

if I were to do it all again, I'd buy a ready one from Lowe's or Home Depot because of all the PITA stuff I had to do. but, if you are OK with doing that stuff, then this is a good one at a fraction of the price of the ones from those 2 places.

 

Maco-thanks for the pic! I had heard that you have to register it as "home built" here in NJ as well, but I had a friend who actually did a trailer from scratch himself and he said the process wasn't a big deal. The low initial price is the selling point for me-I have the skills and the tools to slowly make improvements to it over the years. Right off the bat I will probably bolt it all up, tow it to my dad's shop and weld all of the joints which should be a big improvement right there, then give it a good rattle can repaint. I'd rather buy the trailer with cash now and slowly put money into it than have to finance a Bri-Mar or other more expensive make over time.

 

was no big deal just a pain to find someone to certify it. it's held together fine for me.

 

The DMV guy only checked the VIN # and that was it, no problems for me to register the trailer at all.

 

yeah thats all they do there in ca.

ive have a few of these same ones, used the poop out of em, work great!

 

I have the lighter version of that trailer, and I registered it here in WA. before I got home and built it. To do this I took the sales receipt, and the info in the little brown envelope to the same place I got my registration renewed, they copied down the info, I paid the fee, and walked out with a plate and registration, weeks later I got a title from the state.

How does it work? Great, it spent a few summers moving people, and as a kayak hauler. It loved to bounce and rattle when unloaded, but settled in with some weight on the deck. and now for the last few years as my teardrop camper. It has followed my truck where ever I wanted to take it, including some fairly rough Forrest Service roads, and even a 4X4 trail or 2 so far.

One of the popular HF trailer modification's that I did that greatly improved handling, LINK, extending the tongue.

On one of the Teardrop trailer boards there is a thread for some states with red tape, LINK, basically a non resident registration from Maine, and than transfer to your own state.

 

Being in New Jersey I would find out just what you need to do to put that on the road.

For the price you could hardly build one for that but it would be a better trailer.